verb HSK 6
Traditional 譴責
qiǎn
to condemn · to denounce · to censure

Meaning

谴责 means to publicly or formally criticize someone or something in a strong way, expressing disapproval of their actions or behavior. It carries a serious, formal tone and is often used in official statements, news reports, and diplomatic contexts to express strong moral or political disapproval.

Usage

This is a formal, serious word typically used in written language, news reports, political statements, and official contexts. It's stronger than simple criticism (批评) and implies moral judgment. Common in international relations when countries denounce each other's actions, or when organizations condemn unethical behavior.

Examples

  1. 01
    国际社会强烈谴责这次恐怖袭击。
    Guó shè huì qiáng liè qiǎn zhè kǒng .
    The international community strongly condemns this terrorist attack.
  2. 02
    他的不道德行为受到了公众的谴责
    de dào xíng wéi shòu dào le gōng zhòng de qiǎn .
    His immoral behavior was condemned by the public.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 强烈谴责
    qiáng liè qiǎn
    strongly condemn
  • 公开谴责
    gōng kāi qiǎn
    publicly condemn
  • 遭到谴责
    zāo dào qiǎn
    to be condemned
  • 谴责暴力行为
    qiǎn bào xíng wéi
    condemn violent behavior

Antonyms

Origin

Both characters relate to blame and reproach. 谴 originally meant to send away or exile (from 言 'speech' + 遣 'dispatch'), evolving to mean verbal reproach. 责 combines 贝 (valuables) and 朿 (thorns), suggesting the pain of being held accountable.

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